How to become an estate agent or auctioneer

Official title: Estate agents and auctioneers

Also called: Land agent, Site agent, Auctioneer, House agent, Estate agent, Letting agent, Viewing agent, Lettings agent, Property agent, Relocation agent, Land and estate agent, Property search agent

Estate agents and auctioneers arrange for the valuation, sale, purchase, rental and leasing of property on behalf of clients, as well as the auction of livestock and antiques.

Main tasks

• Discusses client’s requirements and may advise client on the purchase of property and land for investment and other purposes
• Conducts or arranges for structural surveys of properties and undertakes any necessary valuations of property or agricultural land
• Advises vendors and purchasers on market prices of property, accompanies clients to view property
• Markets the property on behalf of the vendor, prepares written information and press advertisements
• Negotiates land or property purchases, sales, leases or tenancy agreements and arranges legal formalities with solicitors, building societies and other parties
• Makes inventories of property for sale, advises vendor of suitable reserve price, issues catalogues, conducts auction, notes bids and records sale

How to become one

There are no formal academic entry requirements although entrants to professional training via the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) will normally possess GCSEs/S grades, an NVQ/SVQ and/or relevant experience. Off and on-the-job training is possible, and apprenticeships are available in some areas.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): Housing and property management assistant (level 2). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0235.
• Apprenticeship (England): Junior estate agent (level 2). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0329.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £30,648 a year The middle half earn £25,879 to £38,085.
• About 61,300 people work in this job now, and about 64,100 are projected by 2035. (+4.6%)

Related jobs

• Buyers and procurement officers
• Business sales executives
• Merchandisers
• Advertising and marketing associate professionals
• Sales accounts and business development managers
• Events managers and organisers

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Questions people ask

How do I become an estate agent or auctioneer?

There are no formal academic entry requirements although entrants to professional training via the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) will normally possess GCSEs/S grades, an NVQ/SVQ and/or relevant experience. Off and on-the-job training is possible, and apprenticeships are available in some areas.

How much does an estate agent or auctioneer earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £30,648 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £25,879 to £38,085.

Is an estate agent or auctioneer a growing career in the UK?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 61,300 to about 64,100 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become an estate agent or auctioneer?

Not always. 32% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Housing and property management assistant (level 2).

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03